So are these 100% custom from the ground up, or do you use an existing figure as a template? obviously the outfits and equipment are all new, but how about the base figure? Bill
Hi Bill! I do the heads. A stressful day for me is painting 24 sets of eyeballs! The bodies are standard articulated 1:6 bodies I still purchase. I started with the Dragon brand. But have expanded out to other brands. And depending on the character, I have to adapt the costume to the body. Example is Taurus from Space Angel. He's a hefty guy. I had my seamstress make a fatsuit to fit over a standard body. Then sew the spacesuit to fit over that. It takes a lot to bring some figures together. And look good!
My seamstress used photos to design the sewing patterns for the costumes. I taught myself about fabrics, and selected/purchased what we would use. She then sews. For specific characters, I thought myself how to sculpt heads, or at least modify other similar heads before making molds and casting ( watched lots of YouTube tutorials). For Generic figures like Forbidden Planet crewmen, I used commercially made heads. I have two Computer (CAD) designers who design 3d print files of the props (helmets, weapons, etc) from pictures, and sketches. I then 3d print them, and finish painting. Then, bring it all together 😀
I forgot to say I like the facial likenesses of your 2001 Frank and Dave! I'm still working on EVA suit versions myself, but being 1/3 scale they are a bit less fiddly! Although having to machine sew all the horizontal seams on the space suits myself, was a real trial!
Lewis, I would love to know what material you are using for the suits? That space suit with its partial pleats is not easy to make. I knew this gentleman whom lived near Barcelona, Spain, who made and sold 1:6 scale 2001 space suits over 20 plus years ago. We conversed often over the years afterward. He admitted that the complexity of making those suits were the undoing of his business. When I started my post retirement business, I always kept his lessons learned in the back of my mind. I would really like to hear more about your challenges.
Nice to see 'The Rocketeer' and 'Forbidden Planet' figures reinterpreted.
ReplyDeleteWow, those are amazing!
ReplyDeleteStupendous, yes!
ReplyDeleteDestination Moon figures are cool too!
ReplyDeleteSo are these 100% custom from the ground up, or do you use an existing figure as a template? obviously the outfits and equipment are all new, but how about the base figure? Bill
ReplyDeleteHi Bill! I do the heads. A stressful day for me is painting 24 sets of eyeballs! The bodies are standard articulated 1:6 bodies I still purchase. I started with the Dragon brand. But have expanded out to other brands. And depending on the character, I have to adapt the costume to the body. Example is Taurus from Space Angel. He's a hefty guy. I had my seamstress make a fatsuit to fit over a standard body. Then sew the spacesuit to fit over that. It takes a lot to bring some figures together. And look good!
DeleteWow! Amazing work!
ReplyDeleteI'm flabbergasted! How did you do it?
Tom Corbet, Destination Moon, Rocketeer, Forbidden Planet, 2001, Matt Mason, Space Patrol...
And all with custom faces!
My seamstress used photos to design the sewing patterns for the costumes. I taught myself about fabrics, and selected/purchased what we would use. She then sews. For specific characters, I thought myself how to sculpt heads, or at least modify other similar heads before making molds and casting ( watched lots of YouTube tutorials). For Generic figures like Forbidden Planet crewmen, I used commercially made heads. I have two Computer (CAD) designers who design 3d print files of the props (helmets, weapons, etc) from pictures, and sketches. I then 3d print them, and finish painting. Then, bring it all together 😀
DeleteThese are amazing! Bringing to life all of our space heroes from the 1950s and the 1960s - how cool is that? SFZ
ReplyDeleteThose are lovely! I especially like the Major Matt Mason!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have quite a support base helping you with the costumes and accessories.
I forgot to say I like the facial likenesses of your 2001 Frank and Dave! I'm still working on EVA suit versions myself, but being 1/3 scale they are a bit less fiddly! Although having to machine sew all the horizontal seams on the space suits myself, was a real trial!
DeleteLewis, I would love to know what material you are using for the suits? That space suit with its partial pleats is not easy to make. I knew this gentleman whom lived near Barcelona, Spain, who made and sold 1:6 scale 2001 space suits over 20 plus years ago. We conversed often over the years afterward. He admitted that the complexity of making those suits were the undoing of his business. When I started my post retirement business, I always kept his lessons learned in the back of my mind.
DeleteI would really like to hear more about your challenges.